RESEARCH

ADVOCACY

You are here: HomePROJECTSCGSRHRDeveloping technical vocational educational training (TVET), higher education (HE) and training on Sexual and reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the health and population sector in Bangladesh(NUFFIC)

Developing technical vocational educational training (TVET), higher education (HE) and training on Sexual and reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the health and population sector in Bangladesh(NUFFIC)

Overview

The James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH) of BRAC University, in partnership with Reproductive Health Services Training and Education Programme (RHSTEP) and the National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT), wants to develop (technical) vocational educational training (TVET), higher education (HE) and training on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the health and population sector in Bangladesh. JPGSPH is the lead partner while, MDF Training & Consultancy is the consortium leader for this project.

The goal of this project is to strengthen the institutional capacity of various educational institutes and non-profit organisations, working towards a better understanding of SRHR in Bangladesh and increasing collaboration and advocacy to empower professionals in academia, health care, population and education for the benefit of men and women in Bangladesh.

Capacity building of health, population and education services is well supported by the government of Bangladesh and other partners working in the country. However, there is little understanding of health stuff and educators with regard to gender, sexuality and human rights. The expected results of this project are knowledge creation and knowledge management, sustainable collaboration and advocacy; development and implementation of SRHR curricula and related skills; capacity development of the three national partners.

Objectives:

To strengthen the institutional setting working towards a better understanding of SRHR in Bangladesh.

To increase the delivery of rights-based SRHR services, collaboration and advocacy to empower professionals in academia, health care, population and education.

Activities

Knowledge creation

Three staff members were selected undertake their PhD research on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Bangladesh, on topics which fit the research and advocacy strategy of the Centre and which is executed and presented in line with international standards of academic quality.

Needs assessment study of NIPORT by CGSRHR

The Centre of Excellence for Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (CGSRHR), in partnership with CREA and MDF, conducted a needs assessment study for National Institute of Population Research and Training (NIPORT) to review the existing curricula and mode of training delivery for the government Frontline Worker Assistants (FWA) and Frontline Worker Volunteers (FWV) who are the core cadre providing reproductive health services in the rural communities. The revised curricula will include an additional component which would encompass a range of modules on SRHR issues. With the inclusion of sexuality in the government’s curricula for the community, this will be a leap forward in mainstreaming the SRHR issue. CGSRHR’s recommendation also led to the development of a SRHR cell within NIPORT - the first of its kind within a government organisation. The study was conducted in four regions of the country. The study, led by NIPORT, will lead to revision and development of the curricula by the Centre with technical assistance from CREA.

Capacity Building

Flagship short course on Gender and SRHR

CGSRHR, in partnership with the Institute of Gender Studies at Radboud University and CREA, offered two five-day long "Flagship Short Course on Gender and SRHR” in 2014 and 2015 at the James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH). After a successful pilot in 2014, the course was offered for the second time in 2015. All together, 65 participants from 14 local and international organisations attended the course. Participants engaged in debates, case presentations, shared experiences, clarified doubts and expressed their concerns and opinions.

The course aimed to provide conceptual clarity on gender, sexuality, reproductive health and rights in the realm of public health. A panel discussion with sexual minority group leaders gave the participants a sense of what remains to be done, both at personal and professional levels with regards to gender and SRHR.

Refresher session for participants of first round of "Flagship Short Course on Gender and SRHR” A refresher session was held for the first round participants of "Flagship Short Course on Gender and SRHR” on 5 September 2015. In partnership with the Institute of Gender Studies at Radboud University and CREA, the session answered three main questions: 'What has stuck with you?’; 'What have you used?’; and 'What challenges have you faced?'. Among others factors, participants gave examples of how ethics and maintaining confidentiality, the concept of sexuality, and knowledge of existing laws on SRHR, etc. were being incorporated in the programme design. The second part involved a participant sharing her experience of working around the recent debate in Bangladesh on child marriage laws. A number of participants mentioned they have referred their colleagues to participate in the second course that was to be offered so that everyone could be on the same platform of understanding.

Advocacy• Roopban LGBT Youth Leadership Workshop – Talking about sex and sexualityRoopban, a network for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community, with the support of CGSRHR organised a two-day long youth leadership programme for the LGBT community members in February 2015. From grassroots organisers to various professionals conducted sessions on decision-making process, safe sex, sexuality, community mobilisation, and leadership. Over 28 young men and women actively participated for two days, engaging with the speakers, contributing to the discussions and learning to network to further create an inclusive community. The participants raised questions on sexuality, belonging, and negotiating with family and work place to build their capacities in their respective lives and circumstances.

Participants ranged from young professionals to students both from within and outside of Dhaka. The workshop also provided a safe space for the participants to talk about their challenges, raising their issues and concerns as well as providing a support system to bring about an effective change.

• Photo narratives and publication of booklet on masculinityA compilation of 50 compelling photo-narratives and views on both traditional and non-traditional masculinity has been made to start a dialogue on masculinity and gender politics and explore the ways masculinity can be expressed in multiple and non-oppressive manners. The booklet is being used by youth communities, organisations working on gender and SRHR, social media campaigns and website materials for reference. The booklet is also being used as course material for various courses being offered by the School.

Additionally, a number of workshops in high schools and public universities in Dhaka were held to start dialogues on masculinity and power and its implications on gender roles in Bangladesh. It also helped to raise awareness and sensitise perceptions regarding heterosexuality, non-heterosexual and gender non-conforming men, and male privileges that exist in the society.

Partners/donor

Donor: Netherlands Initiative for capacity development in higher education (NICHE), Netherlands University Foundation for International Cooperation (NUFFIC)Timeline: 4 years (1 April 2013 to 31 March 2017)